Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve

Such a great place for a walk with family to enjoy nature. There is a shorter trail and a longer one so if you want to take a short cut you can. The entire path is on a boardwalk with railings. There are plenty of benches and lookout points. Parking is by meter and there are picnic tables and a public restroom at the entrance.

I was looking for something to do while I waited to catch a flight back home. I googled parks near the airport and discovered this nature gem within 20 minutes of the airport. Parking is $1 per hour or $5 for a day pass. Unless you like to sit, listen, and watch, 2 hours is more than enough here.

The boardwalk trail was easy to adventure. The paths are clearly marked with guide markers for you to know your where abouts. Photographers were capturing sneak pics of an owl. Alligators can be seen if you've got an eye for wildlife. Birds chirping and fish splashing are the sounds that fill this swampy trail. The trail is a short distanced trail, so no worries, it's not an overhaul hike that will leave you exhausted. Take a stroll if you have no fear, and you'll be surprised at what you spy with your little eyes 👀.

Nestled within the embrace of Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve, the journey along its wooden paths is a serene odyssey into the heart of untouched nature. Pronounced as "slew," this haven unveils the secrets of a thriving ecosystem, a symphony of life woven through lush greenery and gentle whispers of wildlife. As one ambles through this sanctuary for about two miles, time takes on a tranquil rhythm, offering a therapeutic respite from the bustling world.

Immersing oneself in this serene ambiance requires a mindful embrace of the surrounding. To be in harmony with this sanctuary is to walk gently, to listen intently, and to savor every moment as nature reveals its unspoken wonders.

We had a great time hiking and pícnicing at the preserve. Highlight was seeing an alligator come up on the dock to get some sun! Saw lots of birds, turtles and tropical plants. What a great fun FREE activity to do with kids! Only cost was parking.

This spot is a photography enthusiast's dream – one of my absolute favorites! Nestled on the prestigious Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail, it offers regular sightings of alligators, a diverse array of wading birds and songbirds, not to mention a captivating mix of snakes and flora. Every visit promises a thrilling adventure as you explore the enchanting wonders of this nature boardwalk!

Wow, what a beautiful preserve! The whole park is very clean and well kept up after, and they have a beautiful trail that takes you by many different ponds with lots of opportunities to see all the amazing wildlife. They have alligator, turtles, otters and so many cool birds just to name a few of the critters you might see.

If you haven’t checked this place out, or you are thinking about it, you should. It’s well worth it.

This preserve is wonderful! A 1.2 mile loop that is teeming with life, right near the action! Did not see any alligators but saw turtles, herons, wood ducks, anhinga. Only pay for parking & donations are asked for (and well deserved!).

It was wonderful. The stillness and tranquility of the elevated boardwalk was amazing. The guidebook answered many questions about what we were seeing. Please take your time and enjoy the view.

Nice place to go for a walk and checkout some local fauna and flora. Lots of cool plants and trees, lots of different animals. Nice boardwalk. Overall, cool spot to checkout!

Free entry.
$1 an hour to park.

Very much worth the stop! Its a walk along a boardwalk through the Cypress slough.
The preserve staff was very informative.
We seen lots of wildlife, including an alligator and many birds.

It was a fun time for minimal cost. In fact, the only cost is the parking, which is $1 per hour. They have an elaborate boardwalk that leads around the grounds and offers varying nature and wildlife viewing. Fun for all ages.

Very nice walk, lots of cool things and animals to see. Also be careful, cotton mouths,and water moccasins near walking path.

Great place for an easy walk all on a boardwalk and to see some beautiful natural sites. Just over 1 mile if you walk the whole trail. Parking is a dollar an hour. The lots fills up by 10 am during high season, and the boardwalk gets busy. Try to get there early. Saw lots of birds and an otter. Staff is very friendly.

This was a serene experience walking thru the slough, even though we had a hungry 1 and a half & 8 year old with us. The activity pack my 8 year old got, at the visitor center before hand, helped direct his attention to the experience. It did start raining right as we arrived however, it was still a great boardwalk. The covered areas are spaced perfectly apart to take cover from the elements. Our 1 and a half year old loved walking along the boardwalk until she got hungry and tired. She slept the trip back. Everyone that worked there are especially nice and pleasant. I spoke with the ranger that was checking times on the tickets (for parking) displayed on dashboards. I asked if people really skip paying for the $1 per hour parking and he replied "yes". Also he said that it is unfortunate for him to hand out a parking citation because, the money for the ticket would not go to the park.

A hidden nature gem although it was fairly busy so I guess not too hidden. The boardwalk provides a nice walk through the slough and we easily wandered for 2 hours. The alligator was the star but we saw fish, birds, snakes, lizards and the otter hunting fish! You hav eto oh to park but it’s cheap, $1 an hour.

Came across this lovely park on a weekend trip to Ft. Myers and I absolutely loved it! Walked the trail for about two hours and enjoyed every bit of scenery. Highly recommend!

Absolutely beautiful trail. Great for walks alone or with family. It's approx. 1.2 mile trail. Bring your comfortable shoes, your camera and binoculars. You will always find something along the walk.

Beautiful, peaceful space with something to discovery every step of the way! Alligators, herons, turtles, snails and snakes along with unique plants and trees. I just loved it!

Beautiful 1.2 miles hike!
With some luck and patience, many bidrs and even alligators to see.
Liok around, pay attention, walk slowly and quietly!
Easy parking, very welcoming staff/volunteers!
Free entrance, you kust pay for parking!

Saw alligators, turtles, fish, and birds every time we went. Abundant and cheap parking. A nice visitor center and bathroom to use before the two mile promenade loop.